Yes, we can.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Scaeagles,

Not that you had to, but I don't think you ever responded to my observation that you are not willing to live with the strictures--a greatly reduced speed limit--that would greatly reduce or eliminate traffic deaths, but you appear to be willing to live with the strictures--everyone armed to the teeth, the assumption that everyone is a potential threat--that you believe would reduce deaths at the hands of criminals.

Well, actually, I support law abiding and well trained citizens carrying. I see no problem with that.

I'm afraid I don't see the parallel. I don't see it problematic nor inconvenient for law abiding and well trained citized to carry. I see it as problematic having a 10 mph speed limit.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Well, actually, I support law abiding and well trained citizens carrying. I see no problem with that.

I'm afraid I don't see the parallel. I don't see it problematic nor inconvenient for law abiding and well trained citized to carry. I see it as problematic having a 10 mph speed limit.

Yesterday, before school, I had the pleasure of overhearing a kid in my daughter's class telling some of his friends that he had a gun in his backpack. I followed him around to confirm that I had heard what I had heard, and overheard a steady stream of conversation about guns, killing power, blow someone's head off, etc. I told the teacher, and she asked him to come to the door where she asked him about it. He basically copped to it but said there weren't any bullets in it. I later found out from the principal that it was a pellet gun. I don't know if it was loaded.

The boy is from a nice law abiding family as are the two kids he was bragging to. One of the dads is in law enforcement in some respect. The kid and the two kids he picked to brag to and converse with are nice kids, but they are the three that probably have the most trouble in class.

So, while I know this doesn't happen every day, I still question the premise of "law abiding citizens" going around armed saying "Morning, neighbor," and basically forgetting that they are armed until the unthinkable actually happens. Maybe--maybe--I could be convinced to feel differently in a real hunting community where men supposedly view guns no differently than they view any other tool that has its useful purpose. However, I think in the majority of places, guns, like jacked-up pickup trucks, are major cultural testosterone symbols of aggression, compensation, etc. I cannot see that multiplying their presence on the streets could ever be a good thing.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Maybe--maybe--I could be convinced to feel differently in a real hunting community where men supposedly view guns no differently than they view any other tool that has its useful purpose.

This is where we have a complete disconnect. I see guns as useful tools in situations that you do not.